If you are like me, the past few months dealing with the pandemic and other major issues has been difficult …we have worried some, prayed a lot more, adapt and adjusted to changing schedules and daily routines, being concerned about all the hurting people in our country and the world, doing the right thing, helping where we can etc..It is easy to become overwhelmed by it all and become exhausted emotionally and spiritually. We need to regain and continue to maintain our spiritual stamina, so we won’t give into doubt and discouragement.

Just like Moses and the Israelites, we are wandering in the wilderness of not knowing what is going to happen next. Just as they needed manna from God each day to survive and stay strong, we also need a daily dose of reading the manna of God’s Word. I really like how Carolyn Naoroji stresses the importance of this in our lives…”God’s Word is a living water that detoxifies our soul. The more we drink it, the more it cleanses, refreshes, and renews us.”

I have found the more I read and study God’s Word it increases my appetite for it, but if I spend less time in it will actually lessen my desire to focus on the right things spiritually. We must consistently cultivate this healthy habit in order to continually be transformed by God’s grace into the kind of people God created us to be. Billy Graham noted that “The Bible is the constant fountain for faith, conduct, and inspiration from which we drink daily.”

There is no excuse for us, with the amount of resources available at our fingertips to study and apply God’s Word in our daily lives. We have printed books and materials available, apps (a very good app is from http://www.OnePlace.com ) for our smart phones and iPads. You can go online and participate in a Bible study or at your local church. Why should we continue to struggle in our faith by ignoring what will help it grow? I am currently doing several things, I read several free devotional emails I get everyday from Christian writers and Bible teachers, (my favorites right now are Daily Hope by Rick Warren at PastorRick.com and New Life Daily Devotional at http://www.newlife.com. ) As far as daily devotional books, I like to read Sarah Young’s “Jesus Calling” and “ Jesus Always”. I also like to read “Lived Loved” by Max Lucado. Also by Max Lucado is particularly helpful Bible Study during these difficult times that we all are going through is the book “ You Will Get Through This” which is based on the life of Joseph in the Old Testament. He experienced so many set backs, and personal difficulties to eventually become second in command to the Pharaoh in ancient Egypt. I also like to pick a topic such as Faith, Hope, Wisdom, Peace, Love and look up the individual Bible verses that describe that topic, if you have a Study Bible, there is usually topical index in the back. One of my favorite Study Bibles is the “Life Application Study Bible” that is available in several translations. Bible Gateway has an easy to use website for Bible verses topics, it is BibleGateway.com . The key is to search and find out what currently will work best for you to stay spiritually refreshed. My prayer for you and me is that we will continue to grow stronger in our faith now and in the days ahead…When we get through this difficult season in our lives, may be able to look back and say, yes it was a tough time but we got closer to God through it all and He helped us in so many special ways. ..

“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry, and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” – Isaiah 58:11